Noncorrodible fluid-pressure operated valve



lAprll 13, 1954 c. JOHNSON 2,575,204 NONCORRODIBLE FLUID-PRESSURE OPERATED VALVE Filed Sept. 50. 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l .a5C (34 Vin z3 2 Mm INVENTOR. mea/cf fols/Msc# BY QW@ $.31

s a @mw/VSV C. JOHNSON April 13; V'1954 NONCORRODIBLE FLUID-PRESSURE OPERATED VALVE 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 30.

IN VEN TOR.

uf/vea .Jam/SOM BY Quxavm Patented Apr. 13, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE N ONCORRODIBLE FLUID-PRESSURE OPERATED VALVE Clarence Johnson, Orfordville, Wis. Application September 30, 1948, Serial N o. 52,100 6 Claims. (Cl. 251-25) This invention relates to valve mechanisms proved valve mechanism taken on the planes of that are .adapted especially for use in controlling the line I-I of Fig. 2. the ilow of corrosive iluids. Fig. 2 is a horizontal cross section taken on the 'A valve mechanism for controlling the now plane of the line 2-2 of Fig. l. of a` corrosive uid'may include in a preferred 5 Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view similar form of my invention a valve member connected to Fig. 1 but showing the valve in open posito a `flexible diaphragm sealingly engaging a valve tion. block, the valve member cooperating with a valve Fig. 4. is a vertical sectional View of another seat `to control the ilow of uid through passage form of my invention. means in the block. The diaphragm, the valve l Fig. 5 is a. horizontal sectional view taken on member and the valve block are the only parts the plane of the line 5 of Fig. 4. of the mechanism contacted by the fluid and Referring to the drawings, and more particumay be made'of a material, such as Saran, which larly Figs. 1 to 3, it will be noted that there is is unaffected by the corrosive tendencies of the shown an improved valve mechanism generally fluid. `For regulating the position of the valve, designated I including a valve member 2 extendthere may be provided a housing connected to the ing loosely into a recess 3 in a valve block Il and valve block and supporting a iluid actuated meincooperating with a valve seat 5 at the bottom of ber which is connected to a stem for the valve the recess for controlling the owv of uid from so as to actuate the latter. A spring acting bea supply passage 6 to a discharge passage 1. A

tween an adjustableabutment and the uid actu- 2o diaphragm 9 overlies the recess 3 and is clamped ated member may be provided for urging the at its outer edges between the valve block and valve member in one direction relative to its seat, an annular plate I 0 which are held together by and means supplying pressure fluid to the other Screws II. The diaphragm covering the recess 3 side of the fluid actuated'member may be proforms an enclosed chamber in which the valve vided for moving the valve in the opposite dimember operates to control the flow of uid. The rection. The valve stem is desirably arranged valve member 2 is threaded on the end of a rod so that the connection between the valve member I2 extending through an opening in the diaand the diaphragm may be tightened at any time phragm, and an annular member I4 surrounds by adjustable means to maintain sealing engagethe rod at the outer side of the diaphragm and ment between the parts. is-held by a tubular member I5 against the diayAn object of my invention is to provide an imphragm for electing a sealing engagement of the proved valve mechanism `for controlling the flow latter with the valve member. The valve block 4, of a corrosive iluid. Another object is to prothe diaphragm 9 and the valve member 2 are vide an improved valve mechanism for controlling `made of a plastic material, such as Saran, which the ow of a corrosive iluid and having all of its parts contacted by the iluid controlled made of soft rendering it unsuitable for guide bea-ring a material which is unaffected by corrosive ten- Service and Subject. upon repeated operation of deneies of the uuid. still another object is to the valve. to @01d flow and possible permanent provide a valve nlecllalnjsrn` a Valve mem.. defgmatlon. 1S necessary, threfol', the ber connected to a flexible member sealingly endeslgn be S11-Ch that these Saran Darts are sub- 'i gaging a, Valve block' and having means Opera- .lect to a minimum of mechanical stress. Fur

tvly connected .to the Valve member for ad thermore, because of the corrosive nature of the justing its position within `the block. Yet another object is to provide improved means for adjustably connecting a valve member to a diaphragm which engages a housing to form a sealed valve chamber therein. These and other obundergone cold ow Expo jects will .appear more fully in the course of the the means fm. adjusting the; Clamping relation following description. around the periphery of the block l and dia- In the accompanying drawings there are shown phragm 9 and an adjusting Screw m threaded imo for purposes of illustration two forms which my an opening in the outer end of the md g2 and invention may assume in practice. provided with an enlarged head which rests on a, .In these drawings: collar I I engaging the outer end of tubular.mem Fig. 1 is avertical sectional View of my ims45` ber I5 is Drovidedto vary the clamping relation between the inner portion of diaphragm 9 and valve member 2. As shown in Fig. 1, the outer end of the tubular member extends a short distance beyond the end of the rod so that a tightening of the screw will effect relative movement between the rod and the tubular member toI force the valve member 2 and the annular mem ber I4 into a fluid tight clamping engagement with the diaphragm.

This arrangement provides for adjustment of the sealing means without subjecting the relatively fragile diaphragm to twisting or rotational strains. A fluid which corrodes most metals is supplied at a very low pressure through a conduit 20 to the passage 6. When the valve member 2 is unseated, the fluid passes through the passage I to a conduit 2I which conducts the fluid to some point of use. The conduits 2U and 2I are made of a material similar to that of the valve block and the valve member. The pressure of the,l fluid for which the valve mechanism is adapted for use is so low that its action on the diaphragm has no appreciable eiect on the operation of the valve.

Resting upon the plate I9 is a cylinder 23 having a bore 24 reciprocably receiving a piston 25. Screws 26 extend through radial openings in the piston and have reduced inner end portions projectng into openings in the tubular member I5 so as to connect the latter for movement with the piston. Near the lower end of the cylinder is a split ring 28 iitting within an annular groove in the wall of the bore 24, and a cylinder head 29 rests upon this ring and is held iirmly in engagement therewith by screws 3l) extending through the plate I and threaded into openings in the cylinder head. Near the upper end of the cylinder is a split ring 32 ttingwithin an annular groove in the wall of the bore 24, and a circular plate 33 ts within the bore and is held firmly against the ring 32 by screws 34 extending through openings in a head 35 closing the outer end of the cylinder bore. The tubular member I is reciprocably supported by a bushing 33 carried by the plate 33, and the outer end of the tubular member extends into the space between the head 35 and the plate 33 so that the screw I6 may be adjusted on removal of the head. Received within the bore 24 beneath the plate 33 is an abutment member 38 held in engagement with screws 39 by a spring 4D acting between the abutment member and the piston 25. The screws 39 are threaded through openings in the plate 33 and are provided at their upper ends with screw driver slots 4I whereby manual adjustment may be obtained when the head 35 is removed.

For moving the piston 25 upwardly against the action of the spring 40 there are `provided passage means 44 in the cylinder head 29 adapted to conduct pressure iiuid to the cylinder bore 24 beneath the piston. To prevent the escape of pressure iluid past the piston there are provided a packing ring 45 tting within an annular groove in the outer periphery of the piston and another packing ring 43 fitting within an annular groove in the piston adjacent the tubular member I5. The space above the piston is connected through a central opening 48 in the abutment member 38, openings 49 in the plate 33, and ports 59 in the cylinder 23 to the atmosphere for venting any pressure fluid that may escape past the piston. A recess in the lower cylinder head surrounding the tubular member I5 is filled with a packing material 5I, such as felt, which is held in place by a split ring 52. Packing rings 53 and 54 are provided in annular grooves in the cylinder head adjacent the cylinder and the tubular member for preventing the escape of pressure fluid toward the lower end of the cylinder. Extending through the cylinder walls below the head 29 are vent ports 5G for .preventing a building up of pressure at the upper side of the diaphragn'i.` The passage means 44 may be connected by a manuallyoperated valve 58 to a pressure duid supply connection 59 or to an exhaust connection 60.

The Valve 58, as shown, is in a position for venting pressure fluid from the lower end of Vthe piston 25 to the connection 99. The piston 24 is then held in its lower position by the spring 40 for seating the valve 2. A manually operable lever B2 is provided for rotating the valve in a clockwise direction to connect the passage means 44 to the supply connection 59 and effect a movement of the piston 25 to unseat the valve25. If the connection between the valve member and the diaphragm becomes loose, the cylinder head 35 may be removed after taking out the screws 34, and the screws i5 may be turned so that the rod I2 is raised while the tubular member I5 is forced downwardly against the Aannular member I4. To vary the responsiveness of the valveV to the pressure supplied, it is onlynecessary to adjust the screws 4I for Varying the position of the abutment 38 to place the spring 40 under more or less compression.

For supporting the valve mechanism in an.. upright position, there is provided a base plate4 6I having a central opening whichY receives al reduced portion 32 of the valve block 4, and the screws Ii extend through openings in the base plate as shown for holding it in place. Open-V ings 63 are provided in the base plate to re= ceive screws or bolts for securing the mechanism on a suitable supporting structure, not:

shown.

In Fig. 4 there is shown another form of my valve mechanism in which a valve member 65 is connected to a rod 65 carrying an abutment' member 61 that is yieldingly held by a springI 68 against the lower side of a diaphragm 69.1 Pressure fluid may be supplied through a port 'I in a casing 'II to the upper side of the diaphragm for moving the valve against the action of the spring 68 into its closed position. A valve block 'IZ provides a valve seat with which the:

valve member cooperates for controlling the flow of fluid through passage means 'I4 and 15. A

diaphragm 'I6 is clamped at its outer edges between the valve block and a cap TI, and the ceni. tral portion of the diaphragm is clamped between the valve B5 and an annular member 'I8 Openings by a nut 'i9 threaded on the rod 66. are provided in the cap 1l, as shown, so that the nut 'I9 may be adjusted when-desired to eiect a clamping of the diaphragm. A framework i 1s adjustably connected to the cap 'i1 and prol vides a support for the diaphragm housing 1I.

While there are disclosed two forms which A: my invention may assume in practice,` it will bei understood that it may be modied and em# bodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

l. A valve mechanism for controlling the ow of highly corrosive fluids comprising, in combination, a valve block having a recess, a diaphragm alsmaar;

portion of said rod in said chamber, means in cluding a tubular member surrounding said rod and acting on said diaphragm at the side opposite said valve member, means accessible with the valve in operable assembly including a screw threaded into an opening in the outer end of said rod and acting on the end of said tubular member for effecting a clamping of said diaphragm between said valve member and said tubular member, fluid pressure responsive means operatively connected to said tubular member for axially positioning said valve member and said rod as a unit relative to said seat, and supporting structure surrounding a portion of said tubular member for guiding the latter in its movement relative to said seat.

2. A valve mechanism comprising, in combination, a valve block having a recess, a diaphragm covering said recess 'to form a closed chamber, means for clamping said diaphragm at its outer edges to said valve block, fluid supply and discharge Apassages opening through said block into said recess, a valve member received Within said chamber and cooperating with a valve seat on said block for controlling the dow of fluid through said passages, said valve block, said diaphragm and said valve member made of a noncorrosive material, a rod extending through an opening in said diaphragm and connected to said valve member, means including a tubular member surrounding said rod and acting on said diaphragm at the side opposite said valve member, adjustable means for effecting a relative longitudinal movement between said rod and said tubular member so as to force said diaphragm into uidtight engagement with said Valve member, a casing mounted upon said valve block and having a bore through which said rod and tubular member extend, a piston reciprocably received Within said bore and operatively connected to said tubular member, a spring acting between said piston and an adjustable abutment within said bore, means for adjusting the position of said abutment, and means for connecting said bore at the other side of said piston selectively to a pressure fluid supply and to exhaust.

3. A valve mechanism comprising, in combination, a valve block having a recess, a diaphragm covering said recess to form a closed chamber, means for clamping said diaphragm at its outer edges to said valve block, fluid supply and discharge passages opening through said valve block into said recess. a valve member received Within said chamber and cooperating with a valve seat on said block for controlling the flow of iiuid through said passages, said valve block, said diaphragm and said valve member made of a noncorrosive material, a rod extending through an opening' in said diaphragm and connected to said valve member, means including a tubular member surrounding said rod and acting on said dia phragm at the side opposite said valve member, means including a screw threaded into an open ing in the outer end of said rod and' acting orisaid tubular member for effecting a uidtight engagement between said diaphragm and said valve member, a cylinder attached to said valve block and having a bore through which said rod and tubular member extend, a piston reciprocably received within said bore, means for attaching said piston to said tubular member, a cylinder head closing the lower end of said bore, means for connecting the space at the lower side of said piston selectively to pressure fluid supply and to exhaust, an adjustable abutment within said bore at'the upper side of said piston, and a spring' acting between said abutment and said piston.

i. The valve mechanism of claim 3 including a plate xed within said bore adjacent its upper end and carrying a bearing providing a sliding support for said tubular member, and screws threaded through openings in said plate and engaging said abutment.

5. A valve mechanism for handling highly corrosive fluids and having means for clampingly sealing and resealing said valve mechanism While in operation to prevent escape of corrosive uid to the surrounding atmosphere comprising a plastic valve block having a recess in one face terminating in a peripheral clamping face and a centrally located valve seat and having inlet and outlet ports leading into said recess and separated from one another by said valve seat, said plastic block having a tendency to cold flow under continued application of high clamping pressure thereto and produce leaks; a diaphragm of similar plastic material overlying said one face and having a through opening adapted to be aligned With said valve seat and a peripheral clamping area overlying said clamping face; a valve member of similar plastic material disposed in said recess in operative relation to said valve seat and adapted to cooperate with said valve seat to prevent uid ow from said inlet to said outlet and having a tapped recess in an end face in coaxial alignment with said diaphragm opening to threadedly receive one end of an operating valve stem; a valve stem having a threaded end extending through said diaphragm opening and threadedly engaged in said tapped opening of said valve member and protruding exteriorly from said diaphragm; take-up means adjustably carried by said stem exteriorly of said diaphragm and adapted to clampingly secure said diaphragm to said valve member in surrounding sealing relation to said valve stem whereby the valve members exposed to corrosive fluid are all formed of non-corrosive material; and clamping means accessible from the exterior of said body for sealingly clamping said diaphragm to said clamping face of said body in surrounding relation to said recess, said last named means and said take-up means together providing exteriorly accessible means to compensate for cold flow of said valve body and diaphragm and to eliminate leaks developed in use without disrupting operation of said valve mechanism.

6. A valve mechanism according to claim 5 wherein said clamping means comprises a cap member having open sides and supporting an open framework terminating at its upper end in an annular clamp face, said cap member resting upon the peripheral margin of said diaphragm, clamping said margins against said clamping face of said block and being secured to said block yby screws; said valve stem comprises a rod extending through said diaphragm, said cap and said framework; said take-up means comprises a nut threaded on said rod Within said cap and a Washer for clamping said diaphragm against said valve member; and said framework supports a second diaphragm connected to said rod, a diaphragm chamber connected to a source of operating uid and a spring adjustably supported by said framework and acting on said second diaphragm in opposition to said operating fluid.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date n 822,500 Frauenelder June 5, 1906 850,916 Fitzgibbons Apr. 23, 1907 OTHER REFERENCES Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, v01, 34, No. 3. 

